UAB opens its 2027 baseball preparations with a free fall exhibition against Alabama on Friday in Tuscaloosa. The Blazers return much of last season’s production after splitting two games with the Crimson Tide in 2026; Alabama later reached the College World Series.

By the Numbers
  • First pitch: 5 p.m. Friday at Sewell-Thomas Stadium; admission is free.
  • UAB returns 23 players and brings in 17 newcomers for 2027.
  • The Blazers return 74% of their hits and 79.8% of their runs scored from last season.
  • UAB won the teams’ 2026 meeting in Tuscaloosa, 11-2; Alabama won the other game, 12-6.
Yes, But

Alabama brings the stronger recent postseason résumé, coming off a College World Series appearance and its second straight 40-win season. UAB, however, won the teams’ most recent matchup and returns a large share of its production.

Bottom Line

Friday’s exhibition offers an early look at a UAB team with substantial returning production against an Alabama program coming off a deep postseason run.